Meeting in Malta
(The meeting agenda can be found at Malta 20/21 Jan 2023)
Summary of proceedings of formal meetings held as arranged at St Martin’s Institute, Malta (SMI) with thanks to Mr Charles Theuma (Principal) and the IT/catering support team at SMI, and to COST for financial support that made the meeting possible.
While the agenda advanced in the meeting invitation was broadly covered, the sequence of discussions and activities varied in the event. A Zoom recording of the proceedings is archived by SMI. Credit to all participants, but notably Noviki team, for photographs and video recordings.
List of WG Attendees in Person:
Bahanur Naysa (WG5 Leader and Co-Chair); David Bevan (Co-Chair); Eliza Proszczuk; Menna Hendawy; Nurinisa Esenbuga; Mustafa Yaprak; Magdalene Zych; Marcin Nowicki; and Katarzyna Nestorwicz.
On Friday 20 January
Introductions: David Bevan (for SMI) opened the meeting, welcoming WG5 members attending in person. Introductions and interests were identified and discussed. Johathan Barbara (WG1 and the only other current member of this action from Malta) also joined at this point. (90 mins)
The group discussed drawing up a process manual for the use of other WG so that each group has a model for regular and independent communication updates. The manual is in development and a further report on progress will come (here) in a February news update. There were frequent references to ‘the glossary’ which is being compiled by WG1, 2, 3 and 4 for the benefit of Atlas and significant further discussion of potential codes/terms. (90 min)
Over lunch and beyond, we extensively reviewed the activities of each WG (representatives of each group were present). (120 min)
The group left the meeting room (and stopped hybrid/recording) at 3pm for a visit to the Virtual Reality Lab at SMI. Jonathan Barbara introduced how VR has been adopted for experiential simulation in respect of anthropological traces. The group was given demonstrations of a fully developed VR model of a local archeological relic – The Hypogeum in Paola, Malta. David Bevan then described briefly, and with reference to Paul Ricoeur’s concept of “the trace” (as an antecedent to all archives, and all history) the value of a compelling, theoretical/intellectual underpinning to the interests of the Action. On screen, Jonathan Barbara then demonstrated a maquette and a development version of SMI’s proposed time-elapse map of Malta from mid 17th century to present. This map focuses – for the sake of having an example – on the microsite of what was originally an olive grove, and which has developed into a large town over ensuing centuries of varied occupation and use. The features of this map are based on historic maps of Malta from C1650 to present day, and could be the basis of an approach to realising at least one aspect of a prototype Atlas. (>60 min)
Saturday 21 January
We opened with a round table discussion of what we each know of the other WG in which we are involved. We considered extensively how we can support the action concretely by reference to WG5 concerns. With the benefit of Noviki team being present, we were able to work collaboratively on the communications channels and technology in real time. Gabi Neagu joined the meeting via Zoom. (180 min).
After lunch a series of direct actions and responsibilities were agreed principally to engage optimally and effectively with the other Action participants. It was agreed that to encourage activity and participation, a monthly prize might be offered for the least communicative group (out of 1, 2, 3, 4): the prize would be determined by Noviki. On line materials for WG5 concerning this meeting were uploaded in the remaining 2 hours. WG5 will host a monthly online meeting – WG5 Leader will send Zoom invitations subsequently – for the first Tuesday of every month for the rest of 2023 at noon CET.
The meeting closed at 4pm.
Meeting Agenda
Timing: 10.00-15.00hrs (CET) Friday 20, and Saturday 21 January 2023
Venue: Boardroom. Second Floor, New Building, St Martin’s Institute, 116 Triq Joe Sciberras, Hamrun, HMR1557
Organizers: David Bevan (WG5 Co-Chair, Host) and Bahanur Nasya (WG5 Leader and Co Chair)
Hybrid participation is available.
AGENDA
Friday 20 Jan
09.30 Welcome
10.00 Team and member introductions
11.00 working procedures for WG5
12:00 Thorough review of TRACTS agenda and activities and of WG5 supporting actions, commitments and members. Scope and limits of communications and supporting technology
13.00 Lunch break
14.00 Relations with TRACTS WG 1 & 2 and functional communication channels including hybrid contributions
14.30 Relations with TRACTS WG 3 & 4 and functional communication channels including hybrid contributions
15.00 Completing / updating web entries & newsletter & social media actions
16,00 Close
Saturday 21 Jan
09.30 Welcome
10.00 Meetings (hybrid) as arranged and scheduled with other TRACTS participants and supporters to plan communications activities and communications for 2023 onwards
12:00 Lunch break
13.00 Presentation of the action to local people/hybrid/recorded
15.00 Summarise proceedings and actions agreed
16.00 Close